OFW Center soon to be set up in HK, says OWWA chief

(Exclusive to The SUN)

 

The preferred unit occupies an entire floor in United Centre, and is as big as the Consulate 

Administrator Arnell Ignacio of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has unveiled plans to set up an OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) Center in Hong Kong soon, at one of the priciest districts in the city. If it pushes through, it will be the first OFW Center to be set up by the country abroad.

Administrator Ignacio, along with his top officials in Hong Kong, took The SUN along on Monday, Jun 3, to view a 20,000-square-foot unit occupying an entire floor in United Centre in Admiralty which appears likely to be the site of the planned OFW center.

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“It can function (to serve) so many needs of our OFWs and at least, disenteng disente, at pwede nilang tambayan…and they can call it their own,” said Ignacio. (At least it’s very decent and they can hang out there and call it their own)

The asking price for the entire floor, is $8 million for one year (or more than P5 million a month), which, even if lower per sq ft than the rent for the Migrant Workers Office which occupies half the space in the same building, is still hefty. But this does not seem to faze Ignacio.

Ignacio in a huddle with the property agent and contractor of the $8 million-a-year property 

“Ang bagong head ng OFW Committee, si Congressman (Jude) Acidre at si Congresswoman Yedda (Romualdez), kasama natin sa pagbubuo nitong OFW Center in Hong Kong because recently they were here, and medyo nabagabag ang loob nila (dahil) nakita nila ang ating mga kababayan kung saan-saan,” said Ignacio.

(The new head of the OFW Committee in Congress, Rep. Jude Acidre and Rep. Yedda Romualdez (both from Tingog Party List), are working with us in setting up the OFW Center in Hong Kong because recently they were here, and they were bothered seeing our migrant workers spending their day-off all over the place).

He said he was confident that Senator Raffy Tulfo who heads the Migrant Workers Committee in the Senate will also approve the plan, as it is also being supported by the House Speaker, Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

“Kasi gusto niya (President Marcos), alagaan ang mga OFWs,” said Ignacio. (It’s because the President wants us to take good care of our OFWs).

OWWA officers talk about the planned activities for the OFW Center

The OWWA chief plans to provide various services at the Center, including free medical consultation with a Philippine doctor, trainings and seminars on various topics essential or useful to OFWs, a lit stage where beauty contests and other community-driven activities could he held, a room with fake grass that can simulate the outdoors, and another where they can de-stress.

He acknowledged that stress levels in Hong Kong are high, so he wants OWWA to be “the immediate part of the solution.”

“Kailangan masasalo natin agad ang kanilang problema,” he said (We should be able to  immediately respond to their problems).

But it is precisely because of this high stress level that he thinks it is equally important to hold events that make the OFWs smile, like the Philippine Migrant Workers Day celebration organized by OWWA last Sunday on Chater Road in Central.

According to him, the happiness that the whole-day festivity brought to the thousands of OFWs who were there would be remembered for many weeks to come.

Ignacio having fun with Consul General Germie Usudan at OFW Day on Chater Road

“Hindi mababaw ang epekto ng entertainment,” said Ignacio, a former TV entertainer and host who revealed that he used to be part of OWWA’s “Balik Saya” program that brought entertainers to various parts of the world to entertain OFWs.

But he said OWWA does not intend to merely entertain OFWs, but to also provide fast and responsive action to address their concerns, like the excessive borrowing many of them fall prey to, leading to more serious problems like the recent string of suicides among HK OFWs.

“It’s always a comprehensive approach,” he said in describing how OWWA responds to problems confronting migrant workers in distress. But the operative word, according to him, is “fast” – or “mabilisan lahat.”

Currently, the Bayanihan Centre Foundation is running an activity center for foreign domestic workers occupying an entire disused school in Kennedy Town, which the Hong Kong government is providing rent-free.

But Ignacio said the common feedback that he gets from OFWs is that it is “too far”, so that they prefer to hang out on the streets and pavements of Central on their days off instead. 

He is confident the proposed site for the new OFW Center would entice most of them to get off the streets, and into OWWA’s caring space. 

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DH gets 3 months’ jail for laundering $22k

 

The Filipina admitted guilt at Kowloon City Court

A Filipina domestic helper was jailed for three months today after she pleaded guilty to money laundering by allowing her bank account to be used as depository for money derived from crime.

Susan Baral, 38 years old, appeared today at Kowloon City Court, charged with conspiracy to deal with property known or believed to represent proceeds from an indictable offence, in violation of the Organized Crime Ordinance and punishable under the Crimes Ordinance.

She pleaded guilty after the charge was read to her at the start of her trial before Magistrate Philip Chan.

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The charge arose from the deposit and withdrawal of $22,000 from her HSBC account between Nov. 11, 2019 and March 20, 2020.

She was accused of conspiring with persons known as “Cheong Yongjae” and “Danny Ahmed” in dealing with property, knowing that it “directly or indirectly represented the proceeds of an indictable offense,” according to the police complaint filed last Feb 20. 

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Filipina jailed 28 years for shabu making wins right to appeal conviction, sentence

High Court, where Court of Appeal holds hearings

The Court of Appeal today allowed a Filipina tourist sentenced to 28 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to manufacture the dangerous drug methamphetamine hydrochloride (commonly known as ice or shabu), to appeal her conviction.

In a written ruling, Justice of Appeal Kevin Zervos also granted Anna Mae Enriquez, 41 years old, leave to appeal her sentence even if she did not ask for it.

“I consider that in the interests of justice, leave should be granted to D3 (Enriquez) to appeal against her sentence, notwithstanding the late stage in doing so and without an application having been made by her,” he added.

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He approved three of the four grounds cited by Enriquez’s lawyer, supplied by Legal Aid, as reasons to appeal the decision of High Court Judge Esther Toh:

• That the judge failed to instruct the jury that her presence in the flat where the drug was being manufactured, was insufficient to infer that she was part of the conspiracy.
• That the judge failed to instruct the jury that her mere presence would not be enough to support the prosecution case against her and that the prosecution should prove she was a participant in making the drug.
• That the circumstantial evidence was “insufficient to draw an irresistible inference of agreement to manufacture dangerous drugs, role and/or knowledge of dangerous drugs, causing a lurking doubt as to the safety of her conviction.”

Justice Zervos disapproved of her fourth argument -- that the judge discredited her to the jury by contrasting her evidence that she was on the bus from the airport when Lam contacted her, while Lam stated that he ran into her accidentally downstairs in the hotel where they were both staying.

“There is nothing improper about highlighting the discrepancies in the evidence of the defendants in the summing-up for the jury’s consideration,” he explained.

In contrast, Justice Zervos denied the request of her co-defendant Kent Lam Tsz-kin, who was sentenced to 29 years in jail. His sole ground for appeal – that he was manufacturing the drug but under duress – was not “reasonably arguable,” he said.

“The jury, by its verdict, clearly rejected (Lam’s) defence,” he added.

The third co-defendant, Mexican Marco Torres Gonzalez, 35, who was sentenced to 28 years in prison, had earlier withdrawn his application.

The three were arrested by police in a raid on Mar 5-6, 2019 at a To Kwa Wan flat rented by Lam’s wife.

In their testimonies, Lam and Gonzales admitted buying the pots used in manufacturing the ice in Lam’s kitchen, while Enriquez claimed she was in Hong Kong for shopping and that Lam brought her to the flat.

The three were convicted by a High Court jury on a charge of conspiring to manufacture shabu weighing 4.71 kilos, and sentenced on June 24, 2022 by Judge Toh.

In his 17-page decision, Justice Zervos said, “the extent of the evidence against (Enriquez) was that she was present at the time the police raided the flat.”

He also noted that both her co-defendants had testified that she “was merely present at the relevant time and not involved in manufacturing the ice.”

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PCG warns FDWs against blackmail by online lending companies

 

Exposing borrowers in public in this manner is also illegal

The Philippine Consulate General has issued an advisory against online lending companies using blackmail to force people to pay their loans, likely at usurious interest rates.

In a statement issued Monday, the PCG said the illegal money lenders threaten the borrowers with exposing their personal details, identity documents, videos and photos of even their employers unless they paid up.

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“These acts by online money lending companies are punishable under the various criminal and privacy laws of Hong Kong with a penalty of up to five (5) years’ imprisonment and fine of up to HK$1milion,” said the advisory.

“The Consulate also reminds the public not to provide information to online money lending companies such as social media profiles and family, photos of the employer’s house, and other sensitive personal information not related to their loan transaction.”

First page of the Consulate's advisory

In a footnote to the advisory, the PCG mentioned that among the items that foreign domestic workers appear to been obliged to share with the illegal money lenders were the employers’ personal details, as well as their address, car plate number, photo, picture of the flat’s bedroom and living room, apart from their own video acknowledging the loan they got off the money lending company.

Victims are advised to take a screenshot of their transactions with the illegal money lenders and report them to the nearest police station – or seek advice and assistance from the Consulate or the Migrant Workers’ Office.

“Always exercise caution and vigilance in making financial transactions and in giving personal information to other people,” said the Consulate.

Take screenshots of your loan transactions, says the PCG

It’s an advice that should also apply to those who borrow money from individuals or “runners” for people financing the loans extended at high interest rates, and who then exact repayments by posting their photos and personal details online, or on tarpaulin and posters hung in public places.

Those who wish to check if the company they are transacting with is a registered money lender in Hong Kong may visit this website: https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/services/money-lenders/search/licensee-search.htm

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Filipina driven to steal by debts gets 16-month jail term

 

The court said getting mired in debt is no excuse to steal

A Filipina driven to steal from her employer to pay debts which mounted after she acted as guarantor for a friend who later absconded, was jailed for 16 months after she pleaded guilty today at Eastern Court.

“I do not see a mitigating factor to reduce your sentence” (from levels prescribed by the sentencing guidelines), Magistrate Minnie Wat told Johna C. Jinon, 40 years old. 

“You stole more than $249,000, most of which can no longer be recovered.”

Magistrate Wat also cited her serious breach of her employers’ trust, having taken advantage of her being given access to their belongings as a domestic helper since 2018, getting a salary of $5,300 monthly.

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Jinon admitted stealing $16,510 in cash, six bracelets, two necklaces, three rings, and one watch from her employer, Hank Chong.

The theft happened between February 2022 and May 4, 2024 at the employer’s flat at Unique Villa on Holly Road in Happy Valley.

The theft was discovered after the employer noticed that $3,000 was missing from an envelope that contained $25,000, kept in an unlocked cabinet in the master bedroom.

When confronted, Jinon afmitted the theft of the missing cash and other items in the past, and signed a confession.

She was arrested after the employer called police.

In today’s hearing, Jinon was meted 24 months’ imprisonment. Because of her confession, she was entitled to a one-third discount, resulting in a prison term of 16 months.

Jinon’s duty lawyer sought the court’s leniency, saying she was forced to steal to pay off mounting debts that began when she was made to pay for a loan she guaranteed.

She sank deeper in debt trying to pay off the loan when she turned to loansharks, who charged high interest rates.

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FDHs, top Consulate officials join anti-scam briefing by HK Police

 

This is how one can avoid getting involved in money laundering, says the police

Do not lend, sell or rent out your bank accounts.

This was the key message from the Hong Kong Police during a briefing session with about 180 foreign domestic helpers on the latest scam methods used by crime syndicates in Hong Kong, as well as measures adopted by law enforcers to combat them, held at the Kowloon East Police Regional Headquarters yesterday, June 2.

Also at the gathering were Philippine Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan and her Indonesian counterpart, Yul Eddison, along with some of their top officials.

Representatives of two employment agency organizations, the HK Union of Employment Agencies and the all-Indonesian APPTKTI, helped coordinate the event.

Congen Usudan (in long dress) and her PCG team attended the briefing

During the briefing, police officers told the FDHs that allowing others to use their personal bank accounts for the receipt and transfer of criminal proceeds constitute the offense of “money laundering” under section 25 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

The maximum penalty for violators is $5 million in fines and 14 years imprisonment.

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In recent years, a number of FDHs have been jailed for up to 10 months after their bank accounts were found to have been used to launder money from illegal activities such as romance, investment, employment and online shopping scams.

While they were not found to have made the criminal transactions themselves, they were found guilty of money laundering because the bank accounts in their names were used for the offence.

Graph shows how scammers are able to use someone else's account to launder money

In a recent case, an Eastern court magistrate explained that the test to be used in determining whether an accused “knew or had reason to believe that he or she is dealing with proceeds of a crime” which are the essential elements of money laundering, is objective, rather than subjective.

This means that it is what a reasonable person would conclude when the accused surrenders control over his or bank account that was used for money laundering.

Graphs used by the police in illustrating how one becomes complicit to a money laundering case by the simple act of selling her bank account, often for just a low amount.

Thus the police reminder to the participants: “Remember to protect yourself and remind your loved ones: Do Not Sell, Lend, or Rent Your Bank Accounts. Anti-scam efforts start with you.”

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19 FDHs arrested in anti-money laundering operation

 

About 180 FDHs were told about the arrest by Kowloon East Police officers

A total of 67 people, including 19 foreign domestic helpers, were among those arrested on June 1 across various districts in a police crackdown on a multi-million dollar money laundering operation.

A statement from the police said 108 people lost a total of $73 million in the scam.

Those arrested comprised 35 men and 32 women aged 20 to 74 years old. While they confirmed the involvement of FDHs, they could not immediately ascertain their nationalities.

The crackdown was announced yesterday, Sunday, during a briefing on scam methods and anti-scam strategies, conducted by the Kowloon East Police Regional Headquarters before 180 FDHs from the Philippines and Indonesia, and confirmed by the Police Public Relations Bureau today.

According to the police report, all those arrested provided their bank accounts to assist syndicates in handling criminal proceeds from online shopping and investment scams.

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The police warned the public that money laundering is a serious crime, and no one should open bank accounts for others to use, or lend their bank accounts to others for illegal purposes.

Do not rent, borrow or sell your accounts, or on the other end, never to lend, lease or borrow someone else’s account, said the police.

Under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, chap 455, the offence of money laundering could lead to a maximum fine of $5 million and up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

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Business ideas for OFWs: Innovative food products get recognition

 

Slow: Health drink from coconut sap

Coconut flowers, when cut before they develop into coconuts, secrete sap that has for centuries been collected by farmers in the Philippines and turned into tuba, a sweet, mildly alcoholic drink.

But what if the sap is canned right after being collected from the tree?

The result is the Power of SLOW Coconut Flower Sap, developed by Lionheart Farms Philippines Corporation, targeting the export market with a refreshing health drink perfect as an alternative to sugary drinks.

In the case of Destileria Barako Corporation, it added ube, a root crop best known as flavoring for ice cream, to vodka distilled from fermented sugarcane juice. It packaged the drink in a fancy bottle and marketed Ube Cream Liqueur in selected stores such as Kultura in SM Malls.

Long lines at its free taste tests indicate its potential for success
 

Ube Cream Liqueur

These products are two of the nine winners of the 2024 Katha Awards for Food, a yearly project of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) , the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to champion Philippine food excellence.

The winners were announced as part of the IFEX Philippines 2024 held earlier this month at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

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CITEM Deputy Executive Director and Officer in Charge Ma. Lourdes Mediran said: “Katha Awards has been a hallmark of Philippine creativity through the recognition of fresh and innovative food products and applications. It seeks to inspire courage among food entrepreneurs to explore galleries of flavors and work on new, untried idea.”

“Out of 79 products submitted for evaluation, 21 made it to the final screening and only nine (9) emerged as the creme dela creme, meticulously selected by luminaries who are all well-respected within the food community,” Mediran said.

Katha Award winners and CITEM officials

The Board of Judges for this year’s Katha Awards for Food was led by former Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary, former CITEM President and now President of International School of Sustainable Tourism, Dr. Mina Gabor. Joining her were Anna Marie Ozaeta, co-founder of the Philippine Culinary Heritage; Ferdinand Cabo Chanpongco, Food Industry Consultant; and Millie Dizon, senior vice president for marketing of SM Retail.

Here is the list of winners of the 2024 Katha Awards for Food:

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Beverages

The Power of SLOW Coconut Flower Sap by Lionheart Farms Philippines Corporation: A refreshing coconut flower beverage perfect as an alternative to sugary drinks.

Ube Cream Liqueur by Destileria Barako Corporation: An innovative fusion of sugar cane vodka and Filipino ube.

Ready-to-eat Savories and Home Meal Replacements

Bean Appetit Monggo with Squash in Coconut Milk and Dilis by Bestfriend Goodies: A convenient and ready-to-eat, Halal-certified monggo dish made special with squash, coconut milk, and anchovies.

Meat, Poultry and Dairy Products

Real Bacon Crisps by Baken Philippines, Inc.:Original, crispy, and smoky bacon strips made with hundred percent real pork.

Fruits and Vegetables, Seaweeds, and Plant-based Meat Alternatives

Buenas Dried Vegetables by Gem Foods International, Inc.: Seasonal leafy vegetables processed in dry format, ready to use for soup, dish, or tea.

Bakery Products and Confectionery

Handcrafted Chocolate Treats by Theo and Philo Chocolate Factory, Inc.: Ready-to-eat and handcrafted chocolate, made with real coconut and natural ingredients.

Cereals and Cereal Products

Doña Maria Brown Rice Puffs Series by SL Agritech Corporation: Crunchy, tasty, and nutritious oven-baked puff snacks made from Doña Maria Brown Rice.

Food Ingredients, Condiments, and Sweeteners

Maharlika Pure Calamansi Extract by One Vizcaya by Gulf Pacific Integrated Exports, Inc.: Pure calamansi extract conveniently packed in sachets for any time use.

Fish and Other Seafood Products

Northbay Deli Classic Salmon Smoked in Oil by Kai Anya Foods International Corporation: Ready-to-eat salmon belly strips in soya oil mixed with choice spices.

Here is the list of finalists:

● The Locale Farm Strawberry Tea by Northern Roots SG Group, Inc. by The Legacy Farmers Agriculture Cooperative

● Sabroso 100% Pure Cacao with Coconut Milk and Sugar by Sabroso Chocolate Manufacturing

● OSH! Oh So Healthy Get Nutty (Nuts N’ Crisps Mix) by Innovative Packaging Industry Corporation

● Stips Chips Salted Egg Cassava Chips by Happy Eats Corporation

● unMEAT Meatballs in Spaghetti Sauce by Century Pacific Food, Inc.

● unMEAT Luncheon Meat Hot & Spicy by Century Pacific Food, Inc.

● Hab Eat Calamansi Extract Powder by PFP (Pautricia Food Processing) Corporation

● Wangsil Radish Cubed Kimchi by Daebak Korean Food Trading

● Hueza Crisps by Hueza Bakery

● Daily Apple Chocolate-Coated Candied Roselle Flower by Herbanext Laboratories, Inc.

● Sarap Pinoy Ginataang Bilo-Bilo by Grand Alphatech International Corporation

● Coco Natura Premium Coco Syrup by Los Ricos Compania Corporation

● Buenas Creamy Halo-Halo Series by Gem Foods International, Inc.

● Buenas Gourmet Bagoong Tomato Flavor by Gem Foods International, Inc.

● Grand Kim Sardines in Curry Sauce by ZC E & L Corporation 

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55 asylum seekers with unfounded claims sent home

Some of the 30 women removed from HK are led away by Immigration agents

A total of 55 non-refoulement claimants (or those opposing their being sent back home) who were illegal immigrants and overstayers were repatriated to their home countries from May 29 to May 31, according to the Immigration Department.

A statement released by the Department said the persons removed comprised 25 males and 30 females whose nationalities were not disclosed.  Among them were a number who had committed criminal offences and had completed their jail sentences.

Immigration said the repatriation was in line with its policy of “promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong so as to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest.”

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Under the latest removal policy which took effect from Dec 7, 2022, Immigration is allowed to remove a claimant whose application for a judicial review has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance.

However, a large number of such unsuccessful claimants remain in the city because they have filed appeals against the rejection of their judicial review bids.

Immigration said that depending on circumstances and needs, it will continue to speed up the removal process and is actively liaising with governments of major source countries of non-refoulement claimants, airline companies and other government departments for this purpose.

25 male claimants were among those sent back to their home countries

During a question-and-answer session at the Legislative Council in November last year, the Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said that latest figures showed there were around 14, 700 claimants remaining in Hong Kong for different reasons, among which over half (7 755 persons) still had judicial review cases pending before the CFI.

A total of 2,670 claimants were in the process of being confirmed for repatriation eligibility.

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Secretary Tang also said that the expenses incurred in handling non-refoulement claims and related work in 2023-24 is $1.4 billion, and it is estimated that the costs for 2024-25 would be at a similar level.

Since the implementation of the Unified Screening Mechanism for claimants in 2014, only around 1.3 per cent of the non-refoulement claims were substantiated, said Tang.

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OWWA admin back in HK for Fil Migrant Workers Day

 

The celebration features OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio, a former TV actor and singer,
alongside acclaimed singers Jed Madela and Reiven Umali

Administrator Arnell Ignacio of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will be back in Hong Kong this Sunday, Jun 2, to lead the celebration of the Filipino Migrant Workers Day on Chater Road.*

Admin Ignacio will deliver the keynote speech in the afternoon of the whole-day celebration, which will start with street zumba, to be led by invited artists from the Philippines.  

The OWWA chief might just spring another surprise like in last year’s celebration, when he joined overseas Filipino workers in their morning zumba session.

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However, OWWA welfare officer Marilou M. Sumalinog said Admin Ignacio’s schedule for the day does not include any meeting with Filipino community leaders.

Also slated to deliver a speech is Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, while Labor Attache Mel Dizon will give a message of support.

Spicing up the celebration is the TFC 30^th live concert starting at 4pm, featuring acclaimed Filipino artists and singers Jed Madela  and Reiven Umali.

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Throughout the day, various Filipino community organizations will take part in various numbers, including a street dance, a mass dance, as well as song and talent competitions.

Top prizes await the winners in two contests, OFWs Got Talent and Battle of the Bands, where the grand winner will receive $10,000 cash as prize.

The June 2 event is co-organized by the Department of Migrant Workers, OWWA, the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) and Global Alliance Hong Kong.

It kick-starts a whole month of celebration of the 126th Philippine Independence Day, including a Diplomatic Reception and Breakfast Gathering on June 12 both hosted by the PCGl and the Annual Dinner Ball on Jun 7  Kapangyawan Luncheon gathering on Jun 16, both organized by the Philippine Association of Hong Kong. 

There will also be whole-day celebrations on Chater Road on the three remaining Sundays of June organized by various groups, including the traditional Independence Day parade and show on June 9.

* Under Republic Act 10022 which was signed into law in 1995, the Philippines has been observing June 7 as Migrant Workers Day. However, International Migrant Workers Day is held every December 18 each year.

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Man facing drug, Customs charges refused bail

 

Macau Ferry Terminal (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino-speaking man with Chinese citizenship failed Frday (May 31) to bail himself out at Eastern Court despite offering $30,000 in cash, plus other conditions to guarantee he would return to the next hearing to face three charges filed against him by the Customs and Excise Department.

Magistrate Stephanie Tsui told Domingo Nunag, 57 years old, that she refused to grant his bail application because he had a number of criminal records, six of them related to these cases, that the offense was serious and that the prosecution had strong evidence against him, including an alleged admission.

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She ordered him returned to jail to await the next hearing on July 11.

Customs officers arrested Nunag at the Customs Hall of the Macau Ferry Terminal on his arrival from Macau last May 17 after they allegedly found in his possession 3.62 grams of methamphetamine (shabu or ice) contained in four zip-lock plastic bags.

He was charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs, in violation of Sectipn 4 (1)(a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

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In addition, he was found to be carrying dutiable goods -- a two-liter bottle of whisky and 21 sticks of cigarettes – in violation of Section 17(6) of the Dutiable Goods Ordinance.

Since he did not declare these two items upon arrival, he was also slapped with a charge of failure to declare the controlled items to a member of the Customs and Excise Service, a violation of Chapter 10 of the Dutiable Goods Ordinance.

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